Blossom Jackson

Name: Blossom Jackson
First Appeared: 16th May 1994
Last Appeared: 26th October 2010
Played by: Mona Hammond

Blossom Jackson, the ever-supportive grandmother of Alan Jackson, brought a touch of warmth and wisdom to Albert Square. Originally from Tobago, Blossom moved to Britain as a young child and grew up in East London. Her first marriage to Nathan ended when he deserted her, but she found happiness with her second husband, Bill, until his death in 1993. Blossom’s journey to Walford began in 1994 after her flat in Wapping was burgled, prompting her to move in with her grandson Alan and his girlfriend Carol Jackson at 25 Albert Square.

Despite not being blood-related to Carol’s children — Bianca, Robbie, and Sonia — Blossom embraced them as her own. She became a pillar of support for Carol, always ready with a sympathetic ear and a comforting presence. Blossom found work at Kathy Beale’s café and even had a brief romance with Jules Tavernier, moving in with him temporarily when the Jacksons’ house was damaged in a gas explosion in 1995. However, their relationship didn’t progress beyond a fleeting fling.

Blossom’s love life took a more serious turn when she started dating local barber Felix Kawalski, a Jewish Holocaust survivor. Felix’s quest to find his family led him to his sister in Israel, and he eventually decided to move there to be with her. In February 1997, Blossom and her grandson Billie found themselves caught up in a building society robbery. Thankfully, they were unharmed, but Billie’s ability to identify the robbers added a layer of tension. Felix returned briefly to ask Blossom to join him in Israel, and she accepted, leaving Walford in May 1997.

Off-screen, Blossom later returned to England to live with Alan and Billie in Balham. By February 2010, Alan and Carol had split, with Carol and Billie moving back to Walford and Alan relocating to Forest Hill. Blossom’s whereabouts remained unknown until October 2010, when she returned to Walford for Billie’s funeral after he tragically died in his sleep while celebrating his 22nd birthday. Blossom’s determination to say goodbye to Billie, despite Carol’s initial reluctance, showcased her unwavering strength and love for her family.

At Billie’s wake, Blossom tried to mend the fractured family ties, urging Carol to attend despite her grief. She also learned about the death of Carol’s nephew, Bradley Branning, and mentioned that Felix had passed away in 2006. After the wake, Blossom and her family returned home, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and the importance of family bonds in Albert Square.